“A long time ago, I came here in search of happiness.”
“Did you find it?”
“No.”
“I did.” Raven’s tone bespoke her truthfulness. “I left the U.S. to start a new life. If you send me back, I’ll have nothing.”
The Prince watched her in the darkness—her uplifted face with the creamy skin and perfect features, her long black hair. She was beautiful, she was intelligent, and she was brave. Something akin to admiration began to grow and warm in his chest.
He shook his head. He hadn’t come to her home in order to admire her. Any connection to her could only lead to darkness.
He changed the subject abruptly. “Do you know the story of Cupid and Psyche?”
“What does that have to do with anything?” There was an edge to her voice.
“Learn from Psyche’s mistake and do what I tell you.”
“So you’re Cupid?”
He stepped closer and dropped his voice to just above a whisper. “I am the monster, hiding in the darkness.”
“I doubt that a monster would hand out religious artifacts to damsels in distress.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly ‘handing them out.’ I gave you money. Use it to go back to America.”
“It’s in a shoe box in my closet. I don’t want it.”
“You’ll need it.”
She lifted her hands. “All of this must have a perfectly reasonable explanation. The man who killed the other man was disturbed. It isn’t kind to refer to him as feral. And you and the others are part of a crime ring. Obviously.” There was more than a note of hope in her voice.
“Your denial is amusing, but it won’t change reality.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“I’m grateful for your help. I don’t know why the man was upset by the cross I was wearing, but I’m glad he was. He could have killed me. But you’re mistaken about the danger. I promise, I’m no one special. I work at the gallery, I go out with my friends, I draw and I paint. I don’t know state secrets and I don’t have access to the security of the gallery. I’m just a boring, average postdoctoral research associate. That’s all.”
“I disagree. But I’ve been here too long already. If tonight’s events won’t convince you to leave, there’s little else I can do. I’ve warned you twice. What happens next is your responsibility.” His voice was cold.
“I won’t leave the city.”
His expression grew fierce.
“Even if it costs you your life?”
Raven faced him stubbornly. “It won’t come to that.”
“Very well.”
The Prince cursed, before lifting both hands, holding them out in front of him, palms up.
“Innocens ego sum a sanguine.”
He dropped his hands and walked to the door. “When you come to beg for my help, I will remind you of this moment. I’ll demand something of you. And you’ll give it to me.”
“I won’t come to you and I certainly won’t beg.” She sounded contemptuous.
He returned to stand next to the bed.
“Yes, you will.”
He stroked the curve of her cheek with the back of his hand. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”
The Prince indulged himself in the feel of her skin and the beauty of her eyes.
When the lights came back on, Raven was alone.